I'm almost 40 and this is the first time I've ever been fired.
We were given notice of the mandatory overtime the night before it began (we're normally off weekends and this info was given on a Friday night).
The real kicker…the mandatory overtime is due to BEING SHORT STAFFED. All those who refused (about 1/4 of us) were immediately terminated.
This is 100% legal in my state. I double checked and they can work us literally as much mandatory overtime for as many weeks as they want.
I'm not eligible for unemployment.
Background: not only do I not have childcare arrangements for my off days, I have an autoimmune condition and my typical workload is pushing my body's limits (but it's not the kind of situation to be protected by ADA, unfortunately). This could have ended with me in the hospital. I put my life first and now I have to wonder how to avoid homelessness and hunger.
I would die for my kids, but not my job, and now I'm wondering if I made the wrong choice by telling them no. We're so short staffed, I honestly thought they were bluffing.